Iran will be able to produce all the nuclear fuel needed to run the Tehran research reactor by the end of March 2012.

Mr Abolfazl Zohrevand deputy secretary for media affairs of the Supreme National Security Council made the announcement during a conference held in Tehran. So far, over 40 kilos of the fuel for the Tehran reactor has been produced inside the country and the remaining 80 kilos will be produced by the next Iranian New Year.

Mr Fereydoun Abbasi director of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran announced that the installation of the machinery needed for producing nuclear fuel plates had started. 20% enriched nuclear fuel is being produced and we do not have any problems in providing nuclear fuel for the Tehran reactor.

Mr Zohrevand stated that Iran will also manufacture the nuclear fuel plates, which the 5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany never delivered to Iran. In 2010, Iran and the 5+1 group were discussing a nuclear fuel swap deal, according to which the 5+1 group would provide the nuclear fuel plates for the Tehran research reactor but the deal was never finalized.

Recently, Mr Mojtaba Hashemi Samareh presidential advisor said that Iran would start producing plate type nuclear fuel for the Tehran reactor in the near future. We will produce nuclear fuel plates so that the world understands that if Iranian scientists want, they can reach the heights of progress and honor.

(Sourced from Tehran Times)